Lung Foundation Australia is seeking input from consumers to inform submissions on proposed listings of respiratory medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). In July, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) will consider 9 proposals (new listings, and changes to current listings) for lung cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and influenza therapies.
We make submissions to the PBAC to support the timely listing of therapies that improve the health, social and economic outcomes of people impacted by lung disease or lung cancer. The perspectives and experiences of patients, carers, community members and health professionals are necessary to ensure decision makers understand the impact of life-changing and life-saving medicines on individuals, families and communities.
Individuals who have been on a trial for any of the following therapies, used the treatment or a similar treatment, or simply wish to support additional options for people impacted by lung diseases, are encouraged to contact Lung Foundation Australia to contribute to our submissions. Patients and their families may also make an individual submission to the PBAC – individual submissions are due by 10 June.
Consumers wishing to contribute to Lung Foundation Australia’s submissions should make contact by emailing patricias@lungfoundation.com.au by 20 May with the following:
- One to two paragraphs on their personal experience with the treatment, or similar therapy. This could include how you use it and how it helped you, or why an additional choice would be useful for you and your carers/and families.
- Your preferred contact number or email for a Lung Foundation Australia staff member to contact you to discuss further.
| Treatment | Condition | Request |
| BEVACIZUMAB (Zirabev®) | Lung cancer | A request has been made to list the treatment on the PBS for patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. |
| NIVOLUMAB + IPILIMUMAB (Opdivo® and Yervoy®) | Lung cancer | A request has been made to list the treatments on the PBS as a first-line treatment for patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. |
| OSIMERTINIB (Tagrisso®) | Lung cancer | A request has been made to list the treatment on the PBS as a first-line treatment for patients with stage IIIB (locally advanced) or stage IV (metastatic) epidermal growth factor receptor mutation positive non-small cell lung cancer. |
| TOPOTECAN (Topotecan Accord®) | Lung cancer | A request has been made to list the treatment on the PBS for patients with small cell lung cancer, after failure of first line chemotherapy. |
| SELEXIPAG (Uptravi®): | The treatment would benefit patients with: Idiopathic PAH Heritable PAH PAH associated with connective tissue disease PAH associated with congenital heart disease with repaired shunts PAH associated with drugs and toxins. | A request has been made to list the treatment on the PBS for patients with PAH who have not met treatment goals while on dual therapy with an ERA and PDE-5 inhibitor. Uptravi would be used with an ERA and PDE-5 inhibitor (triple therapy). |
| TIOTROPIUM (Spiriva Respimat®) | COPD | A request has been made for a new reusable inhaler and refill cartridge to be listed on the PBS. |
| TIOTROPIUM WITH OLODATEROL (Respimat®) | COPD | A request has been made for a new reusable inhaler and refill cartridge to be listed on the PBS. |
| TERBUTALINE (Bricanyl® Turbuhaler®) | COPD | A request has been made for a new inhaler for patients experiencing bronchospasm to be listed on the PBS. |
| QUADRIVALENT INFLUENZA VACCINE (Fluarix Tetra) | Influenza | A request has been made for the vaccine to be included in the National Immunisation Program for infants and young children aged 6 months to 5 years. |
Further information
To view the July 2020 PBAC meeting agenda, click here.
You can also make your own submission to the PBAC. For more information on how to make a submission, see the PBAC guide here.
Submissions to the PBAC close on Wednesday 10 June and can be made online, via email or post.
Outcomes from March 2020 PBAC meeting
In February, with significant input from members and advocates, Lung Foundation Australia made a number of written submissions to the March meeting of the PBAC. We are pleased to advise that the following recommendations were made for listing of new medicines and also changes to existing or recommend listings on the PBS schedule.
Recommended for new listing:
- ENTRECTINIB (Rozlytrek): monotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced (Stage IIIB) or metastatic (Stage IV) ROS1-positive non-squamous or not otherwise specified (NOS) NSCLC. The PBAC considered that the listing of entrectinib may address an unmet clinical need for an alternative treatment option with a different safety profile compared to crizotinib.
Recommended for change to existing or recommended listing:
- ATEZOLIZUMAB (Tencentriq): additional vial size recommended for treatment of patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer. Additional dosing regimen recommended to allow choice of either 1,200 mg every 3 weeks (Q3W) or 1,680 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W).
- PEMBROLIZUMAB (Keytruda): additional dosing regimen recommended for monotherapy in NSCLC to allow choice of either 200 mg every 3 weeks (Q3W) or 400 mg every 6 weeks (Q6W).
We look forward to updating you on the timelines of new listings as further details come to light.